Ryan, 8th Grade US History, Olathe, KS. I remember studying with friends on the hood of my car in HS for my IB HL Physics exam. Man, those were tough tests. #xplap
I am Jen from Nor Cal K-5 Tech teacher. When I took my PSATs all I could think about was my friend who missed them because her mother had died of cancer the day before. Until then that test had seemed like everything. #xplap
Hey, #xplap crew! I'm a literacy coach and international literacy consultant based in Tokyo. I will never forget working with a group of friends to write and perform our own skit in ninth grade Spanish.
Also, though, in college, when I took the CBEST I kept the pen that they provided because the test cost $54 which seemed like all the money in the world then. It was forever after my $54 pen. #xplap
Hey hey #XPLAP crew. Dave Kolb, 7th Grade Math, Genoa, IL. I remember taking Chemistry tests with 80's instrumental music playing in the background. Toto's "Africa" will forever be associated with Chemistry in my brain.
Hey All! Jordan Billings 7th Grade social Studies and I can remember taking a final where I wrote 14 pages on Martin Luther and I almost didn't finish due to some hand cramps #xplap
Rich Anderson
North Syracuse
9th grade Global History
A memorable test? Is there such a thing. I guess walking out of my US History Regents Exam in 1998 sure I got a 100... ended up being a 98
#XPLAP
Justin, MS Science teacher from @circleusd375, in college several of my science professors asked one question assessments! That was a learning experience for sure! #xplap
Hi! I'm Carol from Birmingham, AL. I teach 2nd. One time a college history professor stopped by my desk and said I had a 91 average. If I messed up on this test, I would lose my A. Sure enough- that negativity won out. I ended up with a B. #xplap
Ahoy #xplap! It has been way too long! I’m Amy From Frederick, MD high school media specialist former middle school SS teacher. I’m finally done with my grad classes so I’m excited to chat!
Josh Stock, 6th grade Language Arts from Olathe, KS. I was terrible at tests because I never studied. I loved any test with an essay because I could always fake my way through it. #xplap
Jeremy - MS writing teacher, Glenview, IL. Took a psychology exam in college after crashing on my bike and told “Too bad, no extension.” Test was on ‘pain’. Literally. #xplap
Hello #XPLAP! I'm Adam-USHIS teacher in SC
The last test I remember was National Boards test. 2 hours, 4 Questions, and 1 sore hand! Also in 4th grade getting a 100 on a standardized science test and the T was bragging so much other Ss were upset. Mom had to ask him to stop!
A1 I always play epic music when they walk in. I also tried to hype it up all week to get them really excited! They never knew what the challenge would be but they knew they had to know the material to be successful! #xplap
A1 I toyed with the idea of using boss fights as the Unit Assessment but chickened out. I use Plickers based boss fights for review. Also a fun Knockout Game. Still tweaking everything though... #XPLAP
A1 #gamification, @Kahoot, @PearDeck, Jeopardy, Trashketball, Boggle reviews, I have who has vocab review, or pulling out the quiz bowl buzzers anything for making learning and reviewing fun! #xplap
A1: My Ss love collaborative Boss Battles. Even with no test following, my Ss work together to beat the boss by answering questions. This year, every group either survived or only missed it by 1 question. #xplap
A1: This is harder for me to answer since I teach primary grades. We don't really have review days or big tests- more like a review 15 minutes and 1:1 student interview or 5 minute test. Ha! They are 7! But games make review fun! #xplap
A1 We have done Boss Battles, Danger Cards, Buzz Ball, Chutes & Ladders, Eraser Game, and just last week we tried @mrmatera's Mystery Box. Solo and as teams. #XPLAP
A1 my students are obssessed with quizizz but also like to do a review walk - split class in 1/2 kids face each other in one long line - they have 20 secs to share a fact with the kid they are facing before they have to move to the next person #xplap
A1: Using the workshop model, we don't have traditional review days. We have repertoire days where Ss pull on all their skills during the work period. We have Ss-led read alouds where they determine the work the text is asking of them. Plus, Ss-created plans & reflections. #xplap
A1: You have to make review days FUN! I love when students make up their own review games then play them with classmates. It's also fun to give students the freedom to make their own presentations, too, with content that needs to be reviewed! So many options! #xplap
A1-Boss battles andquests in Classcraft are awesome for review days. I’ve also been setting up break outs from my treasure chests and escape rooms for review. #XPLAP
A1: incorporating the “right” mini game for the content review was helpful in making review engaging. Sometimes a Chopped activity was best, while for others it might be rolling the dice to limit responses to a certain word count. The competitionwas effective. #XPLAP
YES! That is what my 2nd graders do! We usually have a review before the battle where each group plays against the other groups but then they play together to capture the villains in our game! #xplap
A1- I have done a few new games this year that kids enjoyed! One is where students draw a fort on the board and answer questions for a chance to shield their base or attack others. I did have to put a limit on the shields after a while to move the game forward #xplap
I love having my kiddos fight to earn new areas of our village... With each boss defeated we unlock a new building in my city. This has been a fun addition this year. Must vlog about it. #XPLAP
In reply to
@missmac100, @MrPowley, @Coach_Stephans
I'm working on my first "map". Really leaning into the idea of an "open world" style game this semester. Still tweaking... #XPLAP
(what I have so far https://t.co/VQtZYc7A58)
In reply to
@mrmatera, @missmac100, @Coach_Stephans
A2: This year, I stopped giving tests & started focusing on using standards-based grading. Not sure how to marry the two, so I stuck with open-ended projects that require some element of creation in addition to content knowledge. #xplap
A2 So for the final assessment this semester students had a choice to take the regular test for the assessment or choose to modify two labs from the year or create a new lab from scratch by following a rubric, they applied their knowledge and I received so many ideas! #xplap
In my game the boss attacks one random group each question. Groups have "roles" and can chose warrior, medic, thief, etc... If even one group is defeated they all lose. #XPLAP
A2: Assessments can take many forms...videos, essays, exhibitions, publications. You can also share the criteria/standards with Ss and have them design assessment options. #xplap
Q2 I like giving students choices in how they want to show their knowledge. For example for the knights quiz I gave students the choice between creating a mind map, creating a Knight super hero or writing an essay. Students appreciated having choices! #xplap
A2 I would dump traditional tests altogether if I could, but try to adapt when i have to give them -- One thing I've been doing with my reading class is called PRE-gradng -- i take a quick look and then tell them to double-check specific answers #xplap
A2 This is Part 5 of a thread from earlier today. I had my students take a snowball quiz, this is the last stage where all students can work collaboratively to finish their quiz. I even used @mrmatera's "sunset timer" at the end. #XPLAP
Part 5: The entire class is allowed to collaborate and make any changes. During this part, they have until the “sun sets” (on the board) before they must turn in the quiz. Lowest individual score is the score for the entire class. 3rd period rocked it today with a 95%. #gkcogs
A2: one of my favorites was creating the character autopsy to use as an assessment. Ss had to show evidence and practice analysis and inferring skills without writing an essay. One pagers were another great way. #XPLAP
A2 I only have to give traditional tests for my reading class - in my tech class it is always about what they build and create -- they upload their best work to their Learning Hub (google sites) #xplap
A2: I'm a huge fan of portfolio-based assessments, project-based learning opportunities, and passion projects where students can share their knowledge learned! #xplap
A2. Can we say @Flipgrid and letting students record their answers. Some are better st verbal than written. So differentiating is key. Also what ways can they demonstrate and proposing and owning it from start to finish #XPLAP
A2: We do a lot more projects than tests. Last year I had kids complete a reflection on WWII and they only had one class period to complete it. The results were as good as if they had spent a week on it. https://t.co/9cl6fzD6c3#xplap
A1- I use a lot of Graffiti Walls as a way to review. Directions are simple...show me what you have learned this unit...blank butcher paper...go! This one was used as a semester review. #xplap
A2: My secret missions (sidequests) that are completed in class are great assessments for me. I have learned a lot about my students through them. #xplap
Back when I taught highschool, I would give them a choice -- create something that is equal to a test or formal paper -- you haven't lived until you've seen a live action Homer's Odysey puppet show or a stop-motion cyclops battle #xplap
A2- For my final quiz I had students do a Quizziz and students enjoy the format and the ability to retake the quiz. I have also in the past converted my tests to google forms so students can receive instant feedback. #xplap
A2 I have some "Common Assessments" that are mandated. I work them into my narrative though. Ss have "super powers" like "strength" which allows a notebook or "flight" which lets them fly to me and get a free answer. Most don't use them but have confidence now #xplap
Got to love that... I had about 30 kids ask if I would post side quests over the break so they could get started on them right away. Now that is cool. #XPLAP
In reply to
@missmac100, @MrsCford_tweets, @teachlikeaninja, @tishrich, @hmarrs24, @tamaraletter, @Mr_JSpike
A3 I have projects due this week for our Belief Systems unit—they had to create a Children’s Book for an assigned belief system. Excited to see what turns out. #xplap
A3: ZOMG. I did a candied animal cell. 3D. Each candy represented an organelle in an animal cell. Label. Function. Many proficiency steps along the way. Soooooo fun. And kids were super engaged. #XPLAP
A3: We re-enacted the Constitutional Convention (with me as George Washington) Each S had to research & present their state’s position on the major issues of representation & slavery & then vote. Ss completed a reflection after to assess learning. #xplap
A3: At the end of my pbl called Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf, my 2nd graders must do a sales pitch to sell their house to the 3 pigs (our admin) & create a house flyer. It will fit in perfect w/ my fairy tale game theme! #xplap
A2 can I also mention, that when I allowed students to create something that would be equal to a test/paper -- one girl composed and performed her own piece of music -- Penelope's Theme . It was more amazing than any MC test ever #xplap
A2: When I do tests I usually have a couple of different types and let the kids choose. Usually M/C, Short essay, and long form essay. Sometimes I throw in a timeline. If they don't pass, that method probably wasn't the best choice so they retake using a different one #xplap
A3 This is a bit of a cheat because it is not really summative... But I love the @NationalHistory competition. Here are version 1.0 (they can revise many times!) Hope this page works... #XPLAPhttps://t.co/Ckrz8B01qS
I will be blogging about the process tomorrow at https://t.co/aO0cOmz9Pg. Love how they challenge kids to conceptualize what we have learned in a visual manner. Also allows for quick checks for misunderstandings. My room is covered in them ha. #xplap
A2: The "T" word is not allowed in my room. I believe it brings such a negative vibe. I have a swear jar on my desk and overtime they catch me saying it I owe a dollar. #xplap
A3: Ss participated in author study book clubs (reading different books by the same author). They synthesized their findings to create a presentation of their choice about the author's craft moves and style. Parents and the school community attended the exhibition. #xplap
I spend a lot of time explaining how MC tests (like our EOC) are really just a game. They don't test "knowledge" as much as how well one can maximize their odds of guessing correctly. Its basically craps with an academic sheen... #XPLAP
A3 - Going with the Final I gave last night again, heh: Shark Tank Competition. I brought in 4 experts in LMS field & had future LMSs pitch their solution to a problem in the field. "Funding" for the winners in form of gift cards. #XPLAP
Remember #XPLAP community. Want a chance to win my Youtube channel give away. You must be a subscriber and post a comment on this video answering the question. Draw winner by end of day tomorrow. https://t.co/4crdRZuVyx#tlap#edchat
A3: As a Jamestown final assessment, Ss made dioramas BUT we grouped them in 3 rows around the room & created a Jamestown museum. Each Ss wrote about their project which became a museum brochure. We invited others in and Ss were tour guides! We made digital projects, too! #xplap
Thanks so much for making this year such a great one... #XPLAP is taking the next two weeks off as it is Christmas and New Years. See you all in the new year!
Very cool! I would love to read the blog post. I keep meaning to blog about everything but I'm too busy creating cool things for my game- too fun! #xplap
A3- All time favorite is for my government class...civic learning project. Make your school of town better in some way. Last year they redesigned and changed our school entrance to be safer. This year the kids redesigned a part of the library. #xplap
A3: After 2 weeks of practicing interview skills and question-writing, students interviewed parents and grandparents (anyone from another generation) for #TheGreatThanksgivingListen (Storycorps) Everyone involved LOVES that assessment. #xplap
They have a few for FCS under CTE category, but would love to create more to add the @breakoutEDU collection!!! There is one for Make Learning Magical! Super fun! #xplap#MLmagical
In reply to
@GenevaFCS, @breakoutEDU, @iluveducating, @burgessdave, @HHavniear, @carocampbell1, @LeachTeach4, @ProfeSabia, @jennijonestech, @MCummings365, @Schaeferroom13, @breakoutEDU
A3 Last year, my Ss did a STEM daredevil challenge over several days. They had to create a pool with the smallest surface area that would "catch" their "daredevil" diving from a certain height. The pools were made of construction paper and daredevils were eraser toppers. #XPLAP
A3b- Both projects the school followed through with and are actually funding these changes. Was awesome seeing kids create and have an impact on their surroundings. #XPLAP
A3 Maya unit summative--choice of city-state model, codex on topic of your choice, I can't remember the other choices and... murals. 3 Ss came in over winter break and Saturdays to work on this mural. Still hangs in my classroom 8 years later!
#xplap
A3- My Ss just finished a final project where they had to create a settlement to survive a zombie army sent by an evil wizard using geography research they have done this semester...I posted a few pictures today because some created 3D models #xplap
Merry Christmas #xplap friends ! You make me better! Enjoy your upcoming break and rest! Play games, read, watch movies & wishing you the best for 2019!
You just reminded me of my Jamestown assessment--out of all the various sources we used to study Jamestown which would Ss include in their own version of a textbook and why
#XPLAP
Happy holidays #XPLAP fam. Enjoy the end of the year and recharge those batteries. I'm off to the Dominican Republic and will return a married man! See you in 2019!!
Great chat everyone! Have a wonderful holiday season & a Happy New Year! One more day for my Ss to finish up #SocStudSnaps (my version of #BookSnaps on the Gold Rush) #xplap
Part of my present to my class is "bring a game" to play. It's tomorrow! We have our normal morning but I carved out time to play their favorite games in the afternoon. I am traveling to PA to see my family & we play games almost every night! #xplap
